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Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Sewing/Craft Room Ideas and Updates...

Hello everyone! Welcome to my sewing room. Grab a cup of your favorite something and spend some time with me. I just love when friends drop by! I've done 2 other posts on my sewing room in the past. The first was when I first moved into my room after a very devastating flood in my basement and the second post was after a big clean up.

Well, this post is about a clean up, a few furniture moves and it also includes links to a lot of the projects I've done on my Tool Time Tuesdays posts since the beginning. All words that are printed in red will be links to a tutorial post!!

Remember I am a thrifty person and rarely, if ever, do I spend full price for any thing. I repurpose, paint and use thrift store finds in my sewing room. So if you think you can't have a sewing room or a craft space, just look around your home and I'm sure you'll find things to paint and put together to make a great work area.

So here is the room all cleaned up and a few tables moved around.

Don't get use to this, because it doesn't stay like this for very long...

Seeing that this is where it came from, I'm sure it won't take me long to go back.

Seriously, it was worse in person.

For some reason, I work well like this!

This frightful picture is in the middle of moving things in and out and changing things around. It definitely gets bad before it gets better when you're moving stuff.

Ok, now we are all back together, let's start in one section of the room and work our way around. This wall holds all my crafting and sewing supplies.

The boxes are Sterilite plastic shoe boxes from Walmart...98 cents. I have been collecting those for years. I always buy white so they will always match over time. Each one is label in the front.

The frame with the metal in it is from a thrift store...cheap! The small take out cups hold small beads, screws and office supplies and are stuck up there with magnets. Click here for that post

To the left of that cabinet is my Vertical Coffee Can project. I originally made that for spray paint cans, but now I use it for all my strings. Click here for that.

I hot glued a tape measure on one side to measure out the correct length for a project.

The handle at the top holds the scissors to cut the string.

This chair is so old...over 15 years I think. It's great for my husband or the girls when they come in for a visit or just to sit when I'm do some hand sewing. The small table on the side is also a redo which you can see over at this post.

Here's a little peek under the chair's skirt. You can turn any piece of furniture into a beauty with slip covers.

We got rid of the family office space now that the girls are both in college, so I moved all the house paper work and such to my office in my sewing room. Now I really need to be organized with this desk.

2 old window frames with cork in one and calendars in the other keep all the important info right there in front of me. Here is the post for this project.

Can't forget the jumbo button wall decoration above my desk. That post was so popular. This is made from a cheese board!

A 25 cent thrift store find hangs on one of the legs to hold all my reading glasses!

A file for important papers right where I can find them.

The spike paper holder keeps little notes that I jot down very organized. Here's that tutorial for the spike paper holder.

My grandfather's old ruler and oil can are great picture holders for decoration.

Just twist up a piece of wire and stick it in the oil can to hold your picture.

On the right side of my desk is a double side picture frame. One side is a picture and the other holds all my user names and passwords. See this post for that tutorial.

I have 2 daughters who have grown up way too fast, but I keep their old Slinky's to remind me when they were little. I keep my most important "To Do" notes in there. I miss my girls something awful!

These cheapo office boxes are the perfect size for hanging files. Who needs a file cabinet when a cardboard box works just as well.

Still underneath the desk...this is an old TV stand that I added 2 shelves to. The black trays were in a clearance section in Staples office supply. They hold all my different papers for the printer.

Each tray is labeled.

This was a very old china cabinet not being used in the basement. A coat of black paint, glass doors taken off and crown molding added. All the crap up on top...decorative plastic grocery bags, but filled with stuff.

These magazine holders have all the computer and printer information and instructions. The magazine holders are made from cereal boxes...tutorial here.

The handles for them are Pipe Straps found in the electrical section of the hardware store.

3 ring binders hold all my patterns and inspiration pictures.

This binder is filled with those plastic sheet protectors.

All the pages neatly protected and you can easily see all your patterns or important papers.

Each pattern just loads in from the top. See here for a guest post that I did with a lot more tips.

These boxes hold so much too. These boxes are Propel water boxes. I just glued strips of fabric on the outside of the box and used the pipe straps again for the handles.

Holds tape and so many other office and craft supplies.

Hang tags dangle from a key ring.

Next section of the room is my crafting table.

cork squares with fabric hot glued onto them are mounted on the wall with 3M adhesive strips

glue gun plugs into surge bar with lamp attached. If the lamp is on...that is your signal that you left your hot glue gun on!...click here for that.

Old wooden boxes are label with a galvanized Light Switch plate. Just screw it into the box for a cute label plate.

An old thrift store find is now my tool box.

This wall unit is 3 old cheapo laminate book shelves, painted, thin paneling removed and bead board added to the back for support and crown molding added to the top.

Seriously...crown molding and paint can turn junk into a jewel.

These are just tension rods in one of the shelf sections. All my ribbon is stored here. Easy peasy! There is a yard stick attached to the shelf and scissors tied on with a ribbon, so they are always there.

There is an update on how I store my fabric. This picture shows them stored in stacks in the wall unit. Due to too much sunlight and fading, I have switched to a new system. Still working on completing all the filing, but CLICK HERE to see my new system!!

This was a popular post too. Remember the French Drains I cut up to store all my canning jars of button and my skeins of yarn...click here for that.

Here is my mom's old pot rack. Keeps my old quilt collection and miscellaneous projects close at hand.

Having an electric pot in my sewing room is great too. Boils water in just a few seconds.

Join me for a cup of tea?

This is my sewing table. Very low for me...I'm a shorty at 5' 3" or maybe less now...haven't checked lately!! I made this with 2 old side tables painted black and a hollow core door from Home Depot for $18.00. Click here for that post

This is an old toothbrush holder for my small gadgets next to my machine. The pin holder is from the automotive store. It a magnetic car parts holder, but great for pins.

An old tool box holds all my thread.

Golf tees with flower glued on top will keep the matching bobbin with the right spool of thread. Also don't forget the little hair scrunchy that keeps your bobbin from unwinding.

This stand is from the office supply. Holds paper while you're typing...but for me it holds pattern instructions when I'm sewing.

My sister bought me a bunch of these yard sticks...

I think I might put them on the edge of my sewing table.

Here's a little small desk painted black to match. An extra spot when the girls are in here sewing with me.

This is my cutting table in the center of the room.

The cutting table is elevated higher than the other 2 tables, for ease of cutting...you don't have to bend over as much.

Just add finials to the bottom of your legs. See the white line I added so you can see the extra piece that makes the table higher.

You can also use the plastic bed risers that you can buy in Walmart for $8.00 for a set of 4.

Here is a picture of the only drawer on my cutting table. It holds all my quilting rulers. I'm showing you this for the handle idea. I changed out the knob for a spool of thread...click herefor that idea.

On top of the table...I lined up metal boxes and labeled them to hold all the scraps that I cut down to size as I am cutting out a quilt.

Each box holds squares or strips from 1 1/2 inches all the way to 4 1/2 inches. Keeps your scraps organized and you don't have to cut them down later if you do it as you are sewing.

This is an old mug tree (holder) that I now use for my scissors and rotary cutters. Keeps them off the table and not buried under fabric.

Big metal galvanized tubs from the hardware store hold batting and fabric that isn't 100% cotton. When we have family functions, I also use these to hold soda, water and beer bottles.

and lastly...I mounted curtain rods on all three sides of my table. They hold freezer paper, Heat and Bond and other rolls of paper. Easy to cut off, always easy to find and not wrinkled.

Hope you enjoyed the tour. I just love sharing tips and tricks and especially, inexpensive ways to make your space work for you.

*UPDATE…click HERE for the link to the post with new ideas and project in my sewing room. Pop over for a look!!

wow i'm impressed. these are great ideas. i'm about to move my sewing room from what will be my new baby girl's nursery, so i'm looking for good ideas. LOVE what you did with your grandfather's ruler and oil can. so sweet.

You have the best craft room. So glad it isn't in the basement with the threat of water leakage again :-) Love, love, love your pretty chair with the ottoman. What a comfy spot. Where did you find that gorgeous slip cover?

I love your room! I don't have near that amount of space, but I'd love to take the time to empty my room and start over and incorporate a few of your ideas. Thanks so much for sharing - it truly looks like a designer room.

I am sure you hear this a lot...I love your room!! I love everything about it. As I went through this post I just said "OH" over and over again. Thank you for sharing your wonderful ideas. When I get my own sewing room this will be my insperation!!

Yours is my favourite room. And there is so much light. I even liked your room when it was messy. I'm not sure what I'll do first, but the slip covers for the chair looked a possibility. Did you make them or get someone else to? I can only make quilts, not even a handkerchief.

Your sewing room is just wonderful! You see a purpose in things that I wouldn't think twice about. You are so clever - I'll bet all your friends call you Martha! Thanks for sharing your space with us. I need to get off the computer and take a fresh look at my sewing room!

You have the most beautiful and organized craft room on the internet. You are over the top, everything you could possibly need...And yes, put the yard sticks around the table! I love that idea!Beautiful, beautiful craft room Karen!Thanks for sharing all your good ideas!Susan @ homeroad

This is just fabulous and I have saved this in my "favorites" for reference as I finish putting together my own little home office/sewing room. One question though - Where is the cabinet from that holds the plastic Sterilite shoe boxes? I need that!

I had read all of the posts on your sewing room, but it is so much fun to see it all at once, it really looks great. I am even more impress as I try to set mine in my new house, too much stuff, not enough space. Thanks for sharing all your ideas!

Wow! Unbelievably clever ways to make a space organized. I especially liked the tips for making a sewing table, eyeglass holder(I am always losing mine), and elevating your cutting table. I am going to keep reading some of your tip posts. Thanks so much for sharing. Too much fun!

Wow! I thought I was pretty organized, but you've got me beat!! You are a very clever gal!!Thanks for sharing all of your wonderful tips. I will have to give some of them a try, and some I've already used for yrs. now. I LOVE being super organized mostly cuz it saves time looking for things! LOL

I've always used your room as an inspiration point for the home improvement ideas we try to work into. I've shown your older makeover post so many times to friends that they say, "Did you learn that from Karen?" Really, it is a dream room for so many of us, I'm just telling you again. Thanks for the informative, inspiring share!:-}pokey

You truly are an inspiration! I am embarking on a re-jig of my craft space, it's very small and I share with my son and hubby... but the first place I came for a dose of inspiration was your blog! You truly are the ultimate "Ideas Girl!"

I hope you are well sweetheart, although I haven't been in touch for ages I think of you often and love reading your blog!

I'm just going to set up an area of my finished basement with a quilting frame - another area is a machine embroidery, cutting table and computer space. I wish I had your creative knack for such pretty organization, but this post esp. is very inspirational - I'm going to repurpose things from my overstocked kitchen - thank you for the GREAT post!! I believe it's the best post I've ever seen in blogland!

I have always loved the posts about your sewing/craft room and always been inspired by it, and didn't think it could get any better or that I could love it any more than I already did...until today's post! I am seriously IN LOVE with your room! I love all of your storage ideas and love that they are all thrifty, practical, and inexpensive! (I hate paying full price for anything, too, and would rather buy cheap or remake something I already have. My husband calls it being "cheap" but I call it being "crafty-thrifty!" LOL!) I am saving this entire post as a source of inspiration. I had already decided I wanted to redo my craft space before now, but this post has definitely pushed me over the edge and given me lots of ideas! Of course, my space isn't as big as yours, but I can still use lots of your ideas! So, thank you!

By the way, I have to ask, where did you get the metal bins that you put on the table for your scraps? Knowing you, they probably came from the hardware store! But, I NEED to know where you got them!?!

Oh, I am sooooo implementing some of these fantastic ideas!! I was trying to figure out how to add more space to my room.....now I can do that without hiring a contractor haha! Can't wait to get started....right after I finish this one last project I've been working on :O)

That room is amazing. I dont think ive ever seen such an organized sewing room before. Im so jelous, you have all that space just for your sewing gear. My sewing room is the space underneath our stairwell!

Oh my gosh!!!! This room is absolutely gorgeous!! so jealous, I have a wonderful room but it doesn't have all the 'fixins' that you have...my gosh it will take me days to just take it all in! You are awesome!!

Karen, I could sure use your help. My sewing room has gone from a small bedroom, that was reclaimed as a bedroom when a grown son moved back in, to the shed in the backyard, back to the small bedroom, then having to give it up to use as a small nursery when the grandchildren come over every other week. I took over a small corner of the "nursery" when the other grown son moved back in and now I'm in a small corner of my bedroom. I think I'd be better off in a small pickup with camper shell.

I had to smile when I saw your room as I am currently in the process of organization in my craft room. It looks kind of like your before done picture right now. I'm glad to see it can be done. I'm actually pretty close to completion. I'll be so glad when done. Love your ideas. Thanx

That`s quite a sewing room, Karen! I am just getting ready to redecorate mine, but it is much smaller, maybe 8.5x11ft. I did, however see a couple of useful tricks here that I plan to incorporate into my "dream" sewing room. Thanks for posting this for all of us!

Karen, I love, love, love your sewing room. You have so many creative ideas. I knew all those coffee cans that Mom save year after year would come in handy some day! I'm impressed with your organization, also.

Great room Karen. First time viewing your blog, but I will be back. Wish I had more room to do more of your tips, but 10x10 is biggest I get. Better than nothing, right?Keep up the good work with all your inspirational ideas.

Your room is my dream sewing room! I love every inch of it! Soo inspirational and creative! Thank you for sharing all your tips and tricks. I'm soo happy I came across you blog the other day. It's now in my bookmark bar and I check your blog daily! Sending you sunshine from Hawaii! -Hillary

Wow, my daughter in law sent me the link to your room! Great ideas. I am working on my sewing studio, but you've given me some awesome new ideas! Love the tension rod in the book shelf for ribbons and the curtain rods on the sides of the table for rolls of paper, etc. I'm off to the hardware store lol.

We are moving and I will finally have a little craft space. I am so inspired by your post. At first I thought their is no way I could ever have a room like that. It appears to have costs a great deal to decorate, but your break down had me constantly saying "No way...I can't believe it". Thank you so much for all the great ideas.

Thank you so much for sharing your sewing room. For taking the time to post all those great ideas and links. I am so ready for a room to sew in..I just have a corner of my bedroom now. I can never find anything! My girls are in college now and still come home for holidays..the day is coming when they won't and I will get a room to sew in but then I won't have them at home. I love that you have a space for them if they want to sew with you. Love your blog.

I knew this post would have a boat load of comments lol. How could it not? This is the most amazing craft room I've come across yet. I love looking at them. I have a tiny little desk right now and I share the loft with hubbys PC that he uses for gaming. I am killing myself trying to give him his desk and office space and also convert it into a functioning craft room for me. I would love to feature this room Monday on my blog. I'm a new follower now so I will drop you a line so you can come grab a button! LOVE THIS! You rock and maybe you'd even like to link up to my party =)http://designergarden.blogspot.com/2011/04/vip-party-11.html

Wow to have such a space! I learned many tips and tricks for when I set up my small crafting areas in a few spots in my tiny house. No large room but several areas I can take as my own, if I keep it all tidy. Thanks for the ideas, I believe reusing thrift shop items & painting them too.

Thank you thank you thank you!!! I have been trying to find ideas for a craft room and just happened upon your post through tatertots and jello... you have just made this young mother of two very happy... I am kicking myself now for throwing out those cereal boxes :)

Wow! That was the best tour ever and I loved all of your ideas. I am in exactly the same place as you that the daughter is off to college and I am currently unemployed so I spend my days doing what I love most - Sewing!!

What a put together room. You would never know that those furniture pieces weren't hand picked from the store to fit in that room!! I love all the creative ideas on the storage. This room just makes me want to craft looking at it. Can't wait to have a designated craft room!!

*WoW* .. That's the only word I can think of right now .. What a great and beautiful room you have! I'll come back in a couple of days to read all the tutorials .. Can't wait to get started in my own home!

Okay, so I need to start from the beginning of this super exciting post to write down all the things I need to look for in my garage or purchase! You certainly inspire me! I kept reading and shaking my head wondering why I didn't see how that certain object could be used! I looked at the same things!Seriously, though....can you come to tea here?....to WA and give me ideas for MY craft room? :)

Just saw this post, and I my jaw dropped! Idea after idea, where do I begin? I love the golf tee idea matching thread to bobbin, the mug holder holding tools, the light and glue gun, you are a genius! Would you be willing to guest blog on my blog? I have never had anyone before, but you would be an amazing resource! Could you email me? my blog is http://the4rsRamblings.blogspot.com

Your room is so amazing, I love it! I would love a place to keep all my things, right now they are in a corner of our basement and hauled up to the dinning room table when I need them. With two little girls, it'll be a long time before I can have a craft room, but when I do someday I would love something anywhere close to yours. Thanks for the inspiration!Dannyelle at www.lifeisaparty.ca

thank you....As i was reading about your sewing room, i turn around and looked at my sewing space...hahahaha but i love my space...you have some awesome ideas and i will use a lot of them thank you so much for sparking the thoughts for us to turn around and get moving..happy sewing forever,mary

Wow, this is amazing and so inspiring! It looks like something out of a Ballard catalog but it's so nifty that you created it all yourself! I love the added finials to the table (I have the same table but in white) Soooo many great ideas. I'm totally bookmarking this for a someday project. Thanks for sharing and linking all those tutorials!

Boy do I have room envy! I am fortunate to have a room of my own as well, but I think 3 of my room would fit in your room. All your amazing ideas however have inspired me to make better use of the space I have. I am trying some of these for sure. Not to mention the hours I will be spending scouring your entire blog.

Can I hire you to come create a space for me?!? Seriously though, this is amazing! I have some serious envy, and will be stealing ideas when we move in to our house! Thanks for posting ALL the small details, since it's those that truly make the room functional!!

I am so envious of your quilting/craft room! Mine has been overwhelmed with stuff being tossed in there just to have somewhere to put it "temporarily". I would love for you to come help me organize my room! I think I'm just overwhelmed! A couple of family illnesses, a new marriage and moving my husbands things in, I just got distracted and too busy to quilt. Now I think I'm almost ready to begin again, but I really need some serious organization. I have a knee wall that I want to cut into and put cabinet doors so I can access all of that storage, any thoughts or ideas on that? I'm serious, do you consult with others on organizing their spaces? I love the way you use what you have on hand and recycle items in your designs too!Contact me if you have any ideas or answers for me! Thanks, Cathycatwhittlew2002@yahoo.com

This room takes my breath away. I have been back and forth to this page probably 20 times in the last two weeks. You deserve a huge pat on the back for the wonderful job you have done in here. Functional but so stylish. Thanks for generously sharing your ideas.

wOW! This is amazing! I am working on a room that started out as a craft room and has just plain transformed into a MOM cave! LOL> I figure I don't sew or craft enough to label it as such. But it is definitely a MOM space. It is only a fraction of the space as yours is, but I am shooting for the stars and trying to make it as pretty as possible. Pics are coming in the next few weeks. You have inspired me to keep going ;o)

I'm not really sure how I've been blogging for 6 months now, and this is the first time I've seen your AMAZING blog! I haven't spent this much time on one single blog for a very long time. Very fresh and unique ideas. This craft room is just the epitome of craft/sewing rooms. I bow to you, oh craft queen. I have become a loyal follower and will eagerly await your next brilliant post!

((seriously...not a stalker...just so nice to see new stuff, ya know?))

I hope you never have to deal with a flood again! At least your craft room is safe. Thank you for all the organizing and TTT posts. I seem to have a flood in just about every place I've lived... This water detector has saved me from severe damage. Loving and caring for aging parent (or little children) can be challenging! Please look into http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/page.aspx?p=51137&cat=2,42194 I don't have any affiliation with Lee Valley other than being a happy customer. Thanks for all the blogs

I am so in love with everything in this room that I could puke. Hmmmmmm..... don't I sound classy? Seriously though............ my head is spinning with the huge 'to do list' that you've just doubled. LOVE! :)

Hi Karen, I love your sewing room. It's simply awesome. I love your blog too. I also love to move furniture around and make my own storage items out of found stuff. Thank's for sharing such a wonderful inventive space.Diana

Signed up to follow your fun fun blog!! Thanks for sharing all you excellent ideas. It is a wonder you have time to actually quilt etc what with all your Thursday tips. I found you thru Carfty Storage. Thanks for sharing! Jan

Just discoved your blog, you are one amazing lady. I can't wait to enjoy every one of your post. Question please, how did you attach the finials to the bottom of your legs? Did you just use glue or glue and a screw. I have that problem, such a simple solution, beats having to get a new table.xxxMarlene

I love your room!! I especially love what you did with the three bookcases! I have several of those bookcases in my home, and the cheap back always falls off. I think I am going to invest in some beadboard just because it will make the whole thing so much more sturdy. Especially for the one in my daughter's room, which is loaded with books!

I love this whole room and have read most of your tutorials for everything you made. I wonder how you got the red "links" on your home page at the top? I also asked if you made the ironing board cover on another post but forgot which one and didn't click the follow up button. I know I am a weirdo but I just keep reading you blog and cant stay away...please don't get a restraining order ha ha

I am speechless. You are the QUEEN of organization!! Oh how much I can learn just from this one post. i would KILL for a sewing room - any room for that matter - that had this kind of creative energy of organization. I have just stumbled onto your blog today - but will now be an avid Google Reader!

Karen...WOW. I have been looking for ideas from turning my sewing table into a sewing ROOM. After looking at MANY ideas, yours is THE ONE! What wonderful ideas, and I love that you are budget minded like me! I am ordering the shelves, and my wonderful hubby will be doing the molding to make them look as spectacular as yours, what a great idea! I found you on Pinterest.com and wanted to share and idea that I found from another blogger that I see you don't use. Mini bolts made from comic book backers! http://smashedpeasandcarrots.blogspot.com/2010/11/mini-fabric-bolts-and-some-studio.html I will be using these on my shelves too! Great and inexpensive. Thanks for the ideas, I hope my quilting/sewing room turns out half as nice as yours!Jodi

Just moved to Arizona from California and going a bit stir crazy. Missing my daughters and grandkids so I thought I would focus on something productive and set up my own craft room. Never was a possiblity before but now have extra un-used rooms. THANK YOU SO MUCH. You have inspired me with how creative and cost effective you are. WOW! Plus my husband will be so much more relaxed when I drag him to the hardware stores now rather than the home design ones.

SUPER AWESOME !!!!!!!!!! I love how you have used innovative ideas to store so many things. Like the french drain pipes or that granddad's ruler to uphold pictures. Your an amazing woman with super fantastic creativity. You have inspired me with so many ideas, although my craft studio is not even half as large as yours.LoveNaush

SUPER AWESOME !!!!!!!!!! I love how you have used innovative ideas to store so many things. Like the french drain pipes or that granddad's ruler to uphold pictures. Your an amazing woman with super fantastic creativity. You have inspired me with so many ideas, although my craft studio is not even half as large as yours.LoveNaush

This is seriously the best craft room tour ever. I feel like I'm in the room. Whenever I see the craft rooms I always wonder about one specific thing they didn't mention, but I love how you covered it all and gave links to the posts about them (many of which I clicked on!). I am a detail person, can you tell??

Also, I LOVE that you showed us the messy times! I always wonder about how much crafting can really be done in amazing craft rooms that look "too" perfect. =)

Your craft room is unbelievable! It is the most ingenious and clever use of ordinary materials I have ever seen. I wish you could come organize mine. (which would be a lot simpler because I mainly make cards and scrapbook, not a lot of sewing) I just became a follower of your blog. Maybe you'd like to check out mine, some of my card are kinda cute.

I'm just setting up a work area/sewing area for my new business (custom sewn musical instrument covers) and I have no money, so I'm trying to be creative and resourceful with what I have lying around. Your sewing room is magnificant! Thank you SO much for sharing the wonderful pictures as well as the ideas & instructions!

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About Me

Hello, my name is Karen. I've been married to a wonderful man for 27 years and we have 2 beautiful daughters who are both in college. I am a dental hygienist, but I love to blog, sew, quilt, craft, rearrange furniture, shop in consignment stores and drink tea and coffee all day long! Hope you can join me on this blogging journey...I have sew many things to share!